The prestigious Bonalu Jathara will begin at Simhavahini Sri Mahankali temple at Laldarwaza in Old City from July 22. The temple committee is also making elaborate arrangements and giving a face-lift to the temple for 108th annual brahmotsavams this year at the temple.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Monday, Temple chairman C Rajkumar Yadav said the Bonalu festival begin with Sri Ganapathi Homam, Devi Abhisekham and so on from July 22 and conclude on August 1 with Ammavaru’s mammoth procession. In this connection, the temple chairman appealed to the State government to sanction a special package of Rs 50 crore in order to distribute clothes and essential commodities (rice, red gram, sugar, groundnut oil, wheat and gur) to the poor families of the major community like the State government distributed gifts (clothes) to poor Muslims on the eve of Ramzan festival and to Christians on the occasion of Christmas. The government should also distribute saris to women, who offer Bonams to the presiding deity Goddess Mahakali, he said, adding that purohits of the Kali temples be given some financial assistance.
Bonalu in Delhi on July 9 & 10
Rajkumar Yadav also said Laldarwaza Bonalu will be organized in Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi on July 9 and 10 in order to spread Telangana culture and Bonalu ritual all over the world. For the occasion, a 50-member troupe from Hyderabad will be sent to Delhi on July 8 to present cultural programs. On July 9, a “ghatam” will be taken out from the temple in Telangana Bhavan amidst traditional drums and dances. The Bonalu procession will be taken round the streets of New Delhi, he added. (NSS)